Page 8 of Sinful Curses
With the moon, serene sand, and stillness of the night, she could almost believe the desert was as beautiful as it appeared. It was only a trap meant to lure them into a false sense of security before jaws clamped shut on them.
“What are you doing out here?”
The low, gravelly question drew her attention to where Orin sat with his back against the rocks and one leg drawn up to his chest. He’d draped an arm over his knee.
Like the crows the dark fae used to send messages, he was barely visible amongst the shadows created by the moon. Crows flew into the woods and vanished into them, and the dark fae disappeared into the shadows they used to cloak themselves.
When she edged closer, his onyx eyes came into view as they glistened in the night. His tussled black hair couldn’t hide the tips of his pointed ears.
She recalled how he’d turned into her touch when she ran her fingers over those ears and how they felt beneath her hands while she’d grasped them to hold him between her thighs. The memories of the warmth of his kiss, the power in his chiseled, lean body, and the way every one of his touches made her come alive bombarded her.
Gulping, she glanced away as she licked her lips and tried to regain control while staring at the peaceful night. The reminder of that unending sand and the monsters it hid doused some of her rising lust, but still, her skin crackled with its awareness ofhim.
He’d managed to wedge his way inside her soul, and like a parasite she couldn’t get rid of, he’d stuck with her. She feared he always would.
She never should have come out here, but now that she was here, she couldn’t stand around and not say anything. Finally, she spoke. “I came to relieve you so you could get some sleep.”
“I’m not tired. Go back into the cave; tomorrow will be a long day.”
“It will be longer if you don’t sleep.”
“I’ll get some rest in a few hours.”
She should slip back inside and, even if it wouldn’t happen, try to sleep some more, but her feet remained frozen as she studied the moon and stars. She didn’t know any of these constellations, and this moon wasn’t one she’d seen until arriving here, but they were all so similar to the ones she knew.
It was so beautiful and peaceful out here tonight; it reminded her of home. She hadn’t thought much of her brother, Del, and niece, Lexi, since leaving Belda’s town, but she couldn’t help recalling all the nights they’d sat outside together, studying the stars while laughing, talking, and sharing some drinks.
The memory of their laughter rang in her ears, but after so much time away from them, it sounded duller than it used to.
Am I already forgetting things?
She hadn’t believed it possible to forget after little more than a month away from them, but their laughter wasn’t as loud as it once was in her mind. Closing her eyes, she fisted her hands against her anguish.
We’ll get through this. We’ll get out of here.
But her certainty of that grew smaller with every passing day. She wouldn’t give in to her doubts; she couldn’t. She didn’t know if she could go on if she did.
When she opened them again, she focused on the stars as she recalled another memory. She didn’t realize she intended to share it until the words were spilling from her.
“Before the Lord unleashed his war on the humans, I dreamed about going into space to see the stars, planets, and moon. I considered opening a portal to the moon but wasn’t sure how the whole antigravity, lack-of-oxygen thing would work out if I did.
“Maybe one day I’ll get up the courage to try it anyway and curse myself as I float away. Outer space has always fascinated me, and I used to envy the humans who got to explore it. Of course, the Lord destroyed all that, but maybe one day the humans will return to space, and I’ll get to float amongst the moon and stars.”
CHAPTERNINE
Orin’s attentionshifted back to Sahira as she stood outside the cave entrance. Bathed in the moon’s silvery glow, its light danced across her mahogany hair and striking features.
She’d managed to clean the blood from her arms and face, but her hair still held the reddish hue of the sand adhering to it. Despite the sand and circumstances, she was exquisite.
His cock stirred, and it wasn’t simply because he’d gone too long without feeding on sexual energy, like all dark fae did; it was also the woman herself. And he’d destroy her and the demon after he finished with her.
He half hoped they were in love with each other so her betrayal would hurt them both more; because demon or not, hewouldfuck her again. He couldn’t do that if he didn’t bury his anger and start playing the game… like he did last time.
He should start it now, but hewastired and should rest. He couldn’t leave her out here by herself, though.
He’d have no problem leaving Zeth or Elsa alone, but he couldn’t sleep without knowing she was safe. She was tough and could defend herself, but there were too many dangers out here.
He told himself he only hesitated because Lexi and Cole would be disappointed if he returned without Sahira, but a small part of his brain called him a liar. Whether it was the truth or not, he hated that part.
